Print Control Apparatus Default Printer Registration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing default printer designation functions in operating systems, such as Windows 10, often unintentionally register a printer as the default printer even when users only intend to perform test printing, leading to unwanted changes in default printer settings.

Innovation Solution

A print control apparatus and method that determines the presence and state of the default printer designation function, restricting the display of default printer setting screens and disabling the function when not intended, ensuring that users can set a default printer without unintended changes during test printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the default printer designation function is enabled in the operating system, then users can quickly print without selecting a printer each time, but the printer is unintentionally registered as default when users only want to perform test printing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of printing operationVSAvoidreliability of default printer setting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection to determine whether the OS has a default printer designation function before proceeding with printer registration. This preliminary check prevents unintended default printer registration by preparing the appropriate processing flow in advance based on the detected system state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printer registration process dynamically adapts its behavior based on the detected OS capabilities. The system changes its processing flow depending on whether the OS has default printer designation functionality, making the registration process flexible and context-aware rather than following a fixed sequence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system automatically designates a printer as default during installation, then the printing function becomes more convenient to use, but the user's intended purpose (test printing only) is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of printing systemVSAvoidunwanted default printer registration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by detecting the OS's default printer designation capability and using this information to adjust the printer registration process. This feedback loop ensures the system responds appropriately to different operating environments and prevents unintended side effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its operational parameters based on the detected OS state. By detecting whether the OS has default printer designation functionality, the system modifies its registration behavior accordingly, transforming from an automatic registration mode to a controlled registration mode when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3528106B1Print control apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 CANON KK
  • EP3528106B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3528106B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3528106B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus, comprises display control means for displaying, on a display unit, a setting content associated with setting processing of a default printing apparatus that can be used without accepting a selection operation by a user, acquisition means for acquiring information about a function of setting, as the default printing apparatus, a printing apparatus instructed to execute printing, and restriction means for restricting, if the acquired information indicates enabling of the function, display processing of the setting content so the setting content is not operated.